“Where lives change and where life can begin again”
Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV)
“… above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
“Above all” is a huge statement! Faith is the substance of what we are hoping for. It is the title deed. Faith is the one thing that pleases God. Faith is what the believer lives by. Seems extremely important! Faith is in your mouth, your attitude, your body language, and in your everyday conversation. When life seems to come up short, consider your WORDS. Even more than that, consider your attitude. Your face, your body language, which eventually “springs” from your mouth tells more of the story than your words. Now that is something to ponder for a moment. (My husband loves when I use that word.) Think about it!
When I am hurting physically, I tell my body, “YOU ARE HEALED!!” It may not respond immediately, but I go ahead and act like it did, by faith. However, let’s have a complete understanding, if you have a broken foot or arm, please go to the hospital and get it set, so it can heal. God has already put in our bodies healing properties that know exactly what to do when they are in pain or broken. Doctors with their “God-given” knowledge, because it is God-given, help us to get where God intends for us to be. However, it does not negate our responsibility to live by faith.
Let’s look at our Shield.
I want you to keep in mind that your shield is attached to the Loin Belt (The Written Word) when not in use. Your faith is attached to the Word of God. Faith and the Word of God are inseparable. Without the Word of God, your faith will wane and get weak. Faith must also be used in order to grow.
The scripture goes on to say,
“…with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
Historically, when the soldiers fought in war, they saturated their shields in water before they went to battle. Why? Because, in this era, the arrows were soaked with flammable oils and would catch fire when they struck their target. So, when the fiery arrow would hit the shield saturated in water, it would extinguish the fiery arrow.
As a believer, we must constantly saturate ourselves with the water of the Word of God to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy. Constantly staying prepared and advancing with our shield up and ready.
Our hands of praise, represents our constant faith and acknowledges that we have God in our life, situations and circumstances. Our praise can adjust our words, our attitudes, and especially our body language. Our hands held high to a God that we cannot see, but to a God that we know exists, is Faith! To wave the banner of our God-given flags (hands) of praise, telling Satan, “I will not accept what you bring before me, but I will praise my God in the middle of life’s challenges and “gun fire” all around me, and declare to all, His promises are true. I believe the Word of God and not what I see at this very moment.”
What you see is temporary, but what God has said is NOW and FOREVER! (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Remember we live in this world and it “swirls” all around us each day, infecting our lives with its doom and gloom and sickness and sadness. Therefore, God said n Proverbs 4:20, “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
Also, Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Surround yourself with the Word of Faith, keep it strong and active in your heart and thoughts and especially in your mouth. The Word that we put in us today, prepares us for the faith we will need tomorrow. So, raise your hands and shout in victory, “My God Reigns Forever!”
Have questions, need prayer, or want to learn more about how to get involved? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out today and let’s walk this journey of faith together.